Wrapping machinery



Sept. 11, 1928.

. W. E. MOLINS WRAPPING MACHINERY Filed Dec. 29, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l SeptQll, 1928.

W. E. MOLINS WRAPPINGMACVHINERY Filed Dec. 29, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v Patented Sept. 11, 1928.

- UNITED STATES WPATEN'I" OFFICE.

WALTER EVERETT moLnvs, or narTroaninNnoN, ENGLAND.

WRAPPING MACHINERY.

Application filed December 29, 1927, Serial No. 243,436v and in Great Britain December 24, 1926. p

This invention is for improvements in or relating to wrapping machinery, and more particularly to wrapping machines of the type wherein a block shaped article or batch Ii of articles is moved by a pusher piece along the bed of the machine into contact with a strip of wrapping material disposed above and below the path of the article or batch of articles which is thereafter moved through folding mechanism and converted into a U- shaped block ended container. a The object of the resent invention is to provide means where y a block shaped article or a block shaped batch of articles may be wrapped, for example in an outer covering of thin transparent material and a card or conpon inserted between the article and the outer covering so that the card or coupon may be observed without removing the outer covering.

The present invention consists of a wrapping machine of the type referred to wherein a card, coupon or like feeding mechanism is arranged to feed a card coupon or the like to each article or batch of articles in such a manner that the card lies between each article or batch of articles and an outer wrapper automatically enveloped about the same.

The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates in side elevation a machine constructed according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the feeding mechanism illustrated in Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the picture transfer apparatus.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of the feed shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section of Fig. 4 on theline A--B.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a modified form of channel mounted at the base of the magazine.

- Referring to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a wrapping machine adapted to envelop a block shaped article or batch of articles. for example a packet of cigarettes, in an outer covering of thin transparent material. The packets of cigarettes are located in a vertical magazine 1. disposed above the bed 2 of the machine and pusher pieces 4 mounted upon an endless conveyor 3 are operable to move the lowermost packet in the magazine along 5 the bed of the machine and into contact with a web of'wrapping material 7 disposed above and below the path of the oncoming packet.

The wrapping material is continuously drawn from reel 6 by a pair of continuously rotating rollers 8 and 9, and the web of material is disposed above and below the path of the oncoming packet and is maintained in this position until the packet meets the web, whereupon fixed and rotary knives 10 and 11 are arranged to automatically sever a strip of material from the web. The web feeding and cutting mechanism may be constructed according to British patent specification No. 165,891.

Mounted at the rear of the magazine is a card or coupon feeding device, which comprises an oscillating sucker 12, driven by a series of levers from the cam 18, and arranged periodically to remove the lowermost picture fromaa pile located in a magazine 13 and convey the same downwardly between a pair of continuously rotating belts 14 and 15 so as to deposit the-card directly behind a pusher piece 4 l which has just removed a packet from the magazine 1. so that when the packet has been completely removed from with a card. along the bed of the machine into contact with the wrapping material7. The packet of cigarettes and card are thereafter moved together with the strip of wrapping material through folding mechanism wherem thestrip of wrapping material is formed into a U shaped block ended container open at one end. The pusher piece and the packet are thereafter moved automatically out of engagement with one another in any desired manner. and the open end of the container is closed by means of two side tucks and two broad end flaps formed at the open end of the packet. The belts 14 and 15 and the cam 18 may be driven from any suitable source of power.

Instead of depositing the card beneath the stack of packets in the magazine, the same may be deposited upon the bed of the machine (Fig. 4 to 6), at a position in the rear of the same. and the card or coupon may be moved forwardly by the pusher piece through guides 16 (Figs. 4 and 5) or 17 (Fig. 6) upon which the pile of packets in the magazine 1 are supported, and the lowermost packet and'the card or coupon may be thereafter moved forwardly so that the packet eventually drops upon the card or coupon and the two are moved together through the folding mechanism in the manner hereinbefore set forth.

If the card or coupon is substantially the width of the packet, the guide is constructed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, whereas, if the card is narrower than the packet, the guide is constructed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6.

Again, if necessary, the card or coupon may be fed on to the upper side of the packet at the moment the same meets the wrapping material and the top folder may be arranged so as to grip the packet and the card or conpon placed upon the upper side thereof, so as to hold the same in position as the wrapping material is being folded about the same.

Thus it will be seen that according to the present invention there is provided means whereby a card, coupon or the like ,may be automatically inserted between a packet and an outer covering of thin transparent material.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a magazine for articles, of a wrapping mechanism, and a movable element for conveying a card beneath said magazine, and moving the card and a superimposed article through said wrapping mechv v 2'.-In a device for wrapping articles, the combination with a machine bed, of means for supporting an article above the bed, a wrapping mechanism,and a movable element for moving a card along the bed to a position beneath the article, and for thereafter moving said card and superimposed article together through the wrapping mechanism. a.

3."In a devicefor wrappin articles, the combination with a machine ed, of means for supporting an article above the bed, means for depositing a card on the bed, a wrapping mechanism, and a movable element for moving said card along said bed to a position beneath said article, andfor thereafter movin said eardand superimposed article through said wrapping mechanism.

4. In a device for wrapping'articles, the combination with a machlne bed, of a pair of members mounted thereon having oppositely directed lips for supporting an article above the bed, a wrapping mechanism, and means for moving a card alon the bed totposition beneath said lips and article, said means being adapted to pass between said lips for thereafter carrying said card and superimposed article through said wrapping mechanism.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

WALTER EVERETT MOLINS, 

